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AA-2 Introduction To Windows

The document provides an overview of windows and describes the basic components and functions of a mouse, including pointing, clicking, dragging and dropping. It also discusses how to customize mouse settings and change the desktop background and screen saver.
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© © All Rights Reserved
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
22 views

AA-2 Introduction To Windows

The document provides an overview of windows and describes the basic components and functions of a mouse, including pointing, clicking, dragging and dropping. It also discusses how to customize mouse settings and change the desktop background and screen saver.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 26

CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 1

WHAT IS WIDOW IN COMPUTING?


Window is a rectangular graphical user interface (GUI) that divides the display screen into
rectangular sections. A user interface is the user controllable part of the operating system that
allows you to communicate or interact with it. A graphical User Interface (GUI) allows you
to use graphics (images) and menus as well as keystrokes to choose commands, start
programs and see lists of files and other options. Some of these images take the form of
icons. Icons are small pictorial figures that represent tasks, procedures and programs.

THE DESKTOP (OVERVIEW)


The desktop is the main screen area that you see after you turn on your computer and log on
to Windows. Like the top of an actual desk, it serves as a surface for your work. When you
open programs or folders, they appear on the desktop. You can also put things on the
desktop, such as files and folders.
MOUSE
A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your computer screen.
Although mice come in many shapes, the typical mouse does look a bit like an actual mouse
(rat). It's small, oblong, and connected to the system unit by a long wire that resembles a tail.
Some newer mice are wireless.
Mouse pointers
When you move the mouse with your hand, a pointer on your screen moves in the same
direction. (The pointer's appearance might change depending on where it's positioned on
your screen.).
Using your mouse
Just as you would use your hands to interact with objects in the physical world, you can use
your mouse to interact with items on your computer screen. You can move objects, open
them, change them, throw them away, and perform other actions, all by pointing and clicking
with your mouse.

Basic parts
A mouse typically has two buttons: a primary button (usually the left button) and a secondary
button (usually the right button). You will use the primary button most often. Most mice also
include a scroll wheel between the buttons to help you scroll through documents and
WebPages more easily. On some mice, the scroll wheel can be pressed to act as a third
button. Advanced mice might have additional buttons that can perform other functions.

Holding and moving the mouse


Place your mouse beside your keyboard on a clean, smooth surface, such as a mouse pad.
Hold the mouse gently, with your index finger resting on the primary button and your thumb
resting on the side. To move the mouse, slide it slowly in any direction. Don't twist it—keep
the front of the mouse aimed away from you. As you move the mouse, a pointer (see picture)
on your screen moves in the same direction. If you run out of room to move your mouse on
your desk or mouse pad, just pick up the mouse and bring it back closer to you.
Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 2

MOUSE ACTIONS
Pointing
Pointing to an item on the screen means moving your mouse so the pointer appears to be
touching the item. When you point to something, a small box often appears that describes the
item. For example, when you point to the Recycle Bin on the desktop, a box appears with
this information: "Contains the files and folders that you have deleted. “Pointing to an object
often reveals a descriptive message about it

The pointer can change depending on what you're pointing to. For example, when you point
to a link in your web browser, the pointer changes from an arrow to a hand with a pointing
finger.
Most mouse actions combine pointing with pressing one of the mouse buttons. There are four
basic ways to use your mouse buttons: clicking, double-clicking, right-clicking, and
dragging.

Clicking (single-clicking)
To click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release the primary
button (usually the left button).Clicking is most often used to select (mark) an item or open a
menu. This is sometimes called single-clicking or left-clicking.

Double-clicking
To double-click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then click the left mouse button
twice quickly. If the two clicks are spaced too far apart, they might be interpreted as two
individual clicks rather than as one double-click. Double-clicking is most often used to open
items on your desktop. For example, you can start a program or open a folder by double-
clicking its icon on the desktop.

Right-clicking
To right-click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release the
secondary button (usually the right button).

Right-clicking an item usually displays a list of things you can do with the item. For
example, when you right-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop, Windows displays a menu
allowing you to open it, empty it, delete it, or see its properties. If you're ever unsure of what
to do with something, right-click it.

Dragging
You can move items around your screen by dragging them. To drag an object, point to the
object on the screen, press and hold the primary button, move the object to a new location,
and then release the primary button.

Dragging (sometimes called dragging and dropping) is most often used to move files and
folders to a different location and to move windows and icons around on your screen.

Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 3

CUSTOMIZING YOUR MOUSE


You can change your mouse settings to suit your personal preferences. For example, you can
change how fast your mouse pointer moves around the screen, or change the pointer's
appearance. If you're left-handed, you can switch the primary button to be the right button.

To change how the mouse buttons work


1. Right-click on the desktop and select Personalize
2. Click on change mouse pointers in the display window.
3. Click the Buttons tab, and then do any of the following:
 To swap the functions of the right and left mouse buttons, under Button
configuration, select the Switch primary and secondary buttons check box.
 To change how quickly you must click the buttons to perform a double-click,
under Double-click speed, move the Speed slider toward Slow or Fast.
4. Click OK.
To change how the mouse pointer looks
1. Right-Click on the desktop and click on Personalize
2. Click Change on mouse pointer
3. Click the Pointers tab, and then do one of the following:
 To give all of your pointers a new look, click the Scheme drop-down list, and
then click a new mouse pointer scheme.
 To change an individual pointer, under Customize, click the pointer you want to
change in the list, click Browse, click the pointer you want to use, and then click
Open.
4. Click OK.
To change how the mouse pointer works
1. Right-Click on the desktop and Click Personalize
2. Click on Change mouse pointer
3. Click the Pointer Options tab, and then do any of the following:
 To change the speed at which the mouse pointer moves, under Motion, move the
Select a pointer speed slider toward Slow or Fast.
4. Click OK.
CHANGE YOUR DESKTOP BACKGROUND (WALLPAPER)
Your desktop background (also called wallpaper) can be a digital picture from your personal
collection, a picture that comes with Windows, a solid color, or a picture framed with a color.
To change the desktop background
1. Right – click on the desktop and select personalize
2. Click desktop background in the dialog box
3. Click the picture or color that you want to use for your desktop background.
If the picture you want to use isn't in the list of desktop background pictures, click an
item in the Picture location list to see other categories, or click Browse to search for
the picture on your computer. When you find the picture that you want, double-click it.
It will become your desktop background.
Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 4

Look for pictures in other locations on your computer


4. Under Picture position, click the arrow and choose whether to crop the picture to fill
the screen, fit the picture to the screen, stretch the picture to fit the screen, tile the
picture, or center the picture on the screen, and then click save changes.
Note
 If you choose to have a fitted or centered picture as your desktop background, you can
also frame your picture with a color background. Under Picture position, click Fit or
Center. Click Change background color, click a color, and then click OK.
Tip
 To make any picture stored on your computer (or a picture you are currently viewing)
your desktop background, right-click the picture, and then click Set as Desktop
Background.

Turn your screen saver on or off


A screen saver is a moving picture or pattern that appears on your computer screen when you
haven't used the mouse or keyboard for a specified period of time.
1. Right - Click on the desktop and select Personalize
2. Click on screen saver from below the dialog box.
3. Do one of the following:
 To turn off a screen saver, in the Screen saver list, click (None), and then click
OK.
 To turn on a screen saver, in the Screen saver list, click an option, and then click
OK.
Use pictures as a screen saver
You can create a personalized screen saver by displaying selected pictures as a slide show
when you aren't actively using your computer.
1. Right - Click on the desktop and select Personalize
2. Click on screen saver from below the dialog box.
3. Under Screen saver, click the list, and then click Photos.
4. To change one or more of the screen saver settings, click Settings, and then do one or
more of the following:
 To specify the photos to use for your screen saver, click Browse, choose the
folder that contains the pictures you want to use, and then click OK.
 To change the speed which the photos change in the slide show, click the list
next to Slide show speed, and then choose a speed.
To have the pictures appear in a random order, select the Shuffle pictures check
box.
5. Click Save to save the setting changes you made. Click OK in the Screen Saver
Settings dialog box.

Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 5

CHANGING THE SCREEN SAVER


To change a screen saver
1. Right - Click on the desktop and select Personalize
2. Click on screen saver from below the dialog box.
3. In the Screen saver list, click the screen saver that you want to use, and then click OK.
Tip
To see what your screen saver will look like, before clicking OK, click Preview. To
end the screen saver preview, move your mouse or press any key, and then click OK to
save your changes.
Tip
 To stop a screen saver and return to your desktop, move your mouse or press any key.

THEME
A theme is a combination of pictures, colors, and sounds on your computer. It includes a
desktop background, a screen saver, a window border color, and a sound scheme. Some
themes might also include desktop icons and mouse pointers.
How to change a theme
1. Right – click on the desktop and select personalize
2. Click on the theme you want.

Customizing a theme
You can change individual parts of a theme (the pictures, colors, and sounds), and then save
the revised theme for your own use or to share with other people. You can change a theme's
desktop background, window color, sounds, and screen saver.
To change parts of a theme
1. Right – click on the desktop and select personalize
2. Click the theme that you want to change to apply it to your desktop.
3. Do one or more of the following:
 To change the background, click Desktop Background, select the check box for
the image that you want to use, and then click Save changes.
 To change the color of window borders, click Window Color, click the color
that you want to use, adjust the intensity, and then click save changes.
 To change the sounds for the theme, click Sounds, change sounds in the
Program Events list, and then click OK.
 To add or change a screen saver, click Screen Saver, click an item in the Screen
saver list, change any settings that you want to change, and then click OK.
Your revised theme will appear under My Themes as an unsaved theme.
To save a revised theme for your use only
1. Right click on the desktop and click personalize
2. Click your revised theme to apply it to the desktop.
3. Click Save theme.
4. Type a name for your theme, and then click Save.

Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 6

The theme will appear under My Themes.


DESKTOP GADGETS (OVERVIEW)
Windows contains mini-programs called gadgets, which offer information at a glance and
provide easy access to frequently used tools.

For example, you can use gadgets to display a picture slide show, a calendar, a clock, view
continuously updated headlines, or look up contacts.

To add a gadget
1. Right-click the desktop and click Gadgets.
2. Double-click a gadget to add it.

To remove a gadget
 Right-click the gadget, and then click Close Gadget

To change a gadget's options


 Right-click the gadget that you want to change, and then click Options.
Note
 Some gadgets might not have options.

To resize a gadget
 Right-click the gadget that you want to resize, point to Size, and then select the size
that you want the gadget to be.
Note:
 Some gadgets can't be resized.

To always keep gadgets on top of your windows


You can keep gadgets on top of your open windows so they're always visible.
 Right-click a gadget, and then click Always on top.

Tip
 If you don't want a gadget to appear on top of your open windows, right-click the
gadget, and then click Always on top to clear the check box.

To move a gadget to a different location on the desktop


 Drag the gadget to a new position on the desktop.

Note
 You might have to drag a gadget quickly to unstuck it.

To restore a gadget
If you removed a gadget from the desktop and want to put it back, follow these steps:
1. Right-click the desktop, and then click Gadgets.
2. Browse to the gadget that you want to restore, right-click it, and then click Add.

Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 7

Tip
 To restore or move a gadget, you can simply drag the gadget where you want it.
CREATING A NEW FOLDER
A folder is a location where you can store your files. You can create any number of folders
and even store folders inside other folders (subfolders).
Here’s how to create a new folder:
1. Go to the location (such as a folder or the desktop) where you want to create a new
folder.
2. Right-click a blank area on the desktop or in the folder window, point to New, and
then click Folder.
3. Type a name for the new folder, and then press Enter.
Sub-folder
Sub-folder is a folder that is created within another folder.
Creating sub-folder
1. Be within the folder for which you want to create the sub-folder in.
2. Right click on an empty space in the folder and click new from the pull down menu,
and click folder
3. Type the name of the folder and press enter.
Renaming a Folder
1. Right Click on the folder and click rename
2. Type the new name and press enter.

Deleting folder
1. Right click on the folder and click delete and click yes or press enter key.
Restoring folder
1. Open recycle bin on the desktop
2. Right click on the file you want to restore and click restore.
Copying files and folders

How to copy files or folder into folder


1. Right click the file or folder you want to copy
2. Click copy
3. Right click on the folder you want to copy the file or folder into and click paste
WORKING WITH DESKTOP ICONS
Icons are small pictures that represent files, folders, programs, and other items. When you
first start Windows, you'll see at least one icon on your desktop: Double-clicking a desktop
icon starts or opens the item it represents.
To add or remove common desktop icons
Common desktop icons include Computer, your personal folder, the Recycle Bin, and
Control Panel.
Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 8

1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop, and then click Personalize.


2. In the left pane, click Change desktop icons.
3. Under Desktop icons, select the check box for each icon that you want to add to the
desktop, or clear the check box for each icon that you want to remove from the
desktop, and then click ok. For your personal folder or file Right click on it and click
delete and click Yes.

To move a file from a folder to the desktop


1. Open the folder that contains the file.
2. Drag the file to the desktop.
MOVING ICONS AROUND
Windows stacks icons in columns on the left side of the desktop. But you're not stuck with
that arrangement. You can move an icon by dragging it to a new place on the desktop. You
can also have Windows automatically arrange your icons.

Right-click an empty area of the desktop, click View and then click Auto arrange icons.
Windows stacks your icons in the upper-left corner and locks them in place. To unlock the
icons so that you can move them again, click Auto arrange icons again, clearing the check
mark next to it.
Selecting multiple icons
To move or delete a bunch of icons at once, you must first select all of them. Click an empty
area of the desktop and drag the mouse. Surround the icons that you want to select with the
rectangle that appears. Then release the mouse button.

Now you can drag the icons as a group or delete them. Select multiple desktop icons by
dragging a rectangle around them
Hiding desktop icons
If you want to temporarily hide all of your desktop icons without actually removing them,
right-click an empty part of the desktop, click View, and then click Show desktop items to
clear the check mark from that option. Now no icons are displayed on the desktop. You can
get them back by clicking Show desktop items again.

The Recycle Bin


Recycle Bin is defined as the temporary storage area for deleted files.
When you delete a file or folder, it doesn't actually get deleted right away—it goes to the
Recycle Bin. That's a good thing, because if you ever change your mind and decide you need
a deleted file, you can get it back.
THE TASKBAR (OVERVIEW)
The taskbar is the long horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen. Unlike the desktop, which
can get obscured by open windows, the taskbar is almost always visible. It has three main
sections:
Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 9

 The Start button, which opens the Start menu.


 The middle section, which shows you which programs and files you have opened and
allows you to quickly switch between them.
 The notification area, which includes a clock and icons (small pictures) that
communicate the status of certain programs and computer settings.

Customize the taskbar


There are many ways to customize the taskbar to suit your preferences. For example, you can
move the entire taskbar to the left, right, or top edge of the screen. You can make the taskbar
larger, have Windows automatically hide it when you're not using it, and add toolbars to it.

To remove or hide an icon from the notification area


 Click the icon in the notification area and then drag it toward the desktop.

To view hidden icons


 Click the arrow next to the notification area.
If the arrow isn't there, you don't have any hidden icons.
To add a hidden icon to the notification area
 Click the arrow next to the notification area, and then drag the icon you want to move
to the notification area on the taskbar. You can drag as many hidden icons to the
notification area as you want.
To always show all icons on the taskbar
1. Right-click an empty area on the taskbar, and then click Properties.
2. Under Notification area, click Customize.
3. Select the Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar check box, and then
click ok.
To change how icons and notifications appear in the notification area
You can customize how icons and their corresponding notifications behave in the taskbar.
1. Right-click an empty area on the taskbar, and then click Properties.
2. Under Notification area, click Customize.
3. For each icon, select one of the following options in the list:
 Show icon and notifications. The icon always remains visible on the taskbar in
the notification area and any notifications are displayed.
 Hide icon and notifications. The icon is hidden and notifications aren't
displayed.
 Only show notifications. The icon is hidden, but if the program triggers a
notification balloon, it's displayed on the taskbar.
4. Click ok.

Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 10

Showing or hiding the taskbar

To show the taskbar


 If the taskbar is hidden, point to where you last saw it to show it again. If you can't
remember where you last saw it, try pointing to the bottom of the desktop first, and
then to the sides or top of the desktop, if necessary. You might need to move the
pointer almost off the desktop to show the taskbar.

To hide the taskbar


1. Right click on empty space on the Taskbar and click Properties
2. On the Taskbar tab, under Taskbar appearance, select the Auto-hide the taskbar check
box, and then click ok. The taskbar is hidden from view. You can see it again by
pointing to the place where you last saw it. Note. You can turn off auto-hide the
taskbar by unchecking the Auto-hide the taskbar box.

Unlocking and moving the taskbar


Before you can move the taskbar, you need to unlock it.

To unlock the taskbar


 Right-click an empty space on the taskbar. If Lock the taskbar has a check mark next
to it, the taskbar is locked. You can unlock it by clicking Lock the taskbar, which
removes the check mark.
To move the taskbar
 Click an empty space on the taskbar, and then hold down the mouse button as you drag
the taskbar to one of the four edges of the desktop. When the taskbar is where you
want it, release the mouse button.
Resizing the taskbar
You can resize the taskbar to create additional space for buttons and toolbars.
1. Right-click an empty area on the taskbar. If Lock the Taskbar has a check mark next to
it, the taskbar is locked. Unlock it by clicking Lock the Taskbar, which removes the
check mark.
2. Point to the edge of the taskbar until the pointer changes into a double-headed arrow‍‍,
and then drag the border to make the taskbar the size you want.

THE START MENU (OVERVIEW)


The Start menu is the main gateway to your computer's programs, folders, and settings. It's
called a menu because it provides a list of choices, just as a restaurant menu does. And as
"start" implies, it's often the place that you'll go to start or open things.
Getting started with the Start menu
To open the Start menu, click the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen. Or,
press the Windows logo key on your keyboard.
Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 11

The Start menu is divided into three basic parts:


 The large left pane shows a short list of programs on your computer. Your computer
manufacturer can customize this list, so its exact appearance will vary. Clicking All
Programs displays a complete list of programs (more on this later).
 At the bottom of the left pane is the search box, which allows you to look for programs
and files on your computer by typing in search terms.
 The right pane provides access to commonly used folders, files, settings, and features.
It's also where you go to log off from Windows or turn off your computer.
Opening programs from the Start menu
One of the most common uses of the Start menu is opening programs installed on your
computer. To open a program shown in the left pane of the Start menu, click it. The program
opens and the Start menu closes. If you don't see the program you want, click All Programs
at the bottom of the left pane.
Instantly, the left pane displays a long list of programs in alphabetical order, followed by a
list of folders. Clicking one of the program icons launches the program, and the Start menu
closes. So what's inside the folders? More programs. Click Accessories, for example, and a
list of programs that are stored in that folder appears. Click any program to open it. To get
back to the programs you saw when you first opened the Start menu, click Back near the
bottom of the menu
Customizing the Start menu
You can control which items appear in the Start menu. For example, you can pin icons for
your favorite programs to the Start menu for easy access, or remove programs from the list.
You can also choose to hide or display certain items in the right pane.

To pin a program icon to the Start menu


If you use a program regularly, you can create a shortcut to it by pinning the program icon to
the Start menu. Pinned program icons appear on the left side of the Start menu.
 Right-click the program icon you want to pin to the Start menu, and then click Pin to
Start Menu.
Note
 To unpin a program icon, right-click it, and then click Unpin from Start Menu.
 To change the order of a pinned item, drag the program icon to a new position in the
list.
To remove a program icon from the Start menu
Removing a program icon from the Start menu doesn't remove it from the All Programs list
or uninstall the program.
1. Click the Start button.
2. Right-click the program icon you want to remove from the Start menu, and then click
Remove from this list.

Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 12

To customize the right pane of the Start menu


You can add or remove items, such as Computer, Control Panel, and Pictures, that appear on
the right side of the Start menu. You can also change some items so that they appear as links
or menus.
1. Right Click on the Taskbar and Properties.
2. Click the Start Menu tab, and then click Customize.
3. In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, select the options in the list that you want,
click OK, and then click ok again.

To search for programs from the Start menu


 Click the Start button, and then type a word or phrase in the search box.
WORKING WITH WINDOWS
Whenever you open a program, file, or folder, it appears on your screen in a box or frame
called a window (that's where the Windows operating system gets its name).

Parts of a window
Although the contents of every window are different, all windows share some things in
common. For one thing, windows always appear on the desktop—the main work area of your
screen. In addition, most windows have the same basic parts.

Parts of a typical window


 Title bar. Displays the name of the document and program (or the folder name if
you're working in a folder).
 Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons. These buttons hide the window, enlarge it
to fill the whole screen, and close it, respectively (more details on these shortly).
 Menu bar. Contains items that you can click to make choices in a program.
 Scroll bar. Lets you scroll the contents of the window to see information that is
currently out of view.
 Borders and corners. You can drag these with your mouse pointer to change the size
of the window.
Other windows might have additional buttons, boxes, or bars. But they'll usually have the
basic parts, too.

MOVING A WINDOW
To move a window, point to its title bar with the mouse pointer. Then drag the window to the
location that you want.
Changing the size of a window
 To make a window fill the entire screen, click its Maximize button or double-click the
window's title bar.
 To return a maximized window to its former size, click its Restore button (this appears
in place of the Maximize button). Or, double-click the window's title bar.

Edited & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr Contact: +231770 210 310/+231888 827 998
CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 13

 To resize a window (make it smaller or bigger), point to any of the window's borders
or corners. When the mouse pointer changes to a two-headed arrow (see picture
below), drag the border or corner to shrink or enlarge the window.
A window that is maximized cannot be resized. You must restore it to its previous size
first.
Note
 Although most windows can be maximized and resized, there are some windows that
are fixed in size, such as dialog boxes.
Hiding a window
Hiding a window is called minimizing it. If you want to get a window out of the way
temporarily without closing it, minimize it.
To minimize a window, click its Minimize button. The window disappears from the desktop
and is visible only as a button on the taskbar, the long horizontal bar at the bottom of your
screen.
To make a minimized window appear again on the desktop, click its taskbar button. The
window appears exactly as it did before you minimized it.

Closing a window
Closing a window removes it from the desktop and taskbar. If you're done with a program or
document and don't need to return to it right away, close it.
To close a window, click its Close button.
Note
 If you close a document without saving any changes you made, a message appears that
gives you the option to save your changes.
Switching between windows
If you open more than one program or document, your desktop can quickly become cluttered
with windows. Keeping track of which windows you have open isn't always easy, because
some windows might partially or completely cover others.
Click on the name of the window you want to switch to from the taskbar and it will open.
ARRANGING WINDOWS AUTOMATICALLY
You can have Windows automatically arrange in one of three ways: cascading, vertically
stacked, or side by side.
Arrange windows in a cascade (left), vertical stack (center), or side-by-side pattern (right).
To choose one of these options, open some windows on your desktop, then right-click an
empty area of the taskbar and click Cascade windows, Show windows stacked, or Show
windows side by side.
Steps in arranging window
1. Right click on an empty space on the Taskbar.
2. Click on either of the following: Cascade Window, Show Window Side by Side and
show Window Stacked.
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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 14

To undo the arrangement of window


1. Right click on an empty space on the Taskbar and click on undo the kind of window
arrangement you made.

Dialog boxes
A dialog box is a special type of window that asks you a question, allows you to select
options to perform a task, or provides you with information. You'll often see dialog boxes
when a program or Windows needs a response from you before it can continue.

Unlike regular windows, most dialog boxes can't be maximized, minimized, or resized. They
can, however, be moved.

Windows explorer
Window explorer is used to browse your entire computer system. It displays the various
drives of your computer system and importing folder.

Opening Window Explorer – Right click on the Start button and click open windows explorer

WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER


Windows Media Player provides an intuitive, easy-to-use interface to play digital media files,
organize your digital media collection, burn CDs of your favorite music, rip music from
CDs, sync digital media files to a portable device, and shop for digital media content from
online stores.
Starting Windows Media Player
To start Windows Media Player, click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click
Windows Media Player.

Playing an audio or video file


You can use Windows Media Player to play digital media files that are in your Player
Library, on your computer or a network folder, or on a website.

To play a file in the Player Library


1. Click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Media Player.
If the Player is currently open and you’re in Now Playing mode, click the Switch to
Library button in the upper-right corner of the Player.
2. In the Player Library, browse or search for the item that you want to play.
3. To play a file in the Player Library, do one of the following:
 In the details pane, double-click the item to begin playing it.

 Click the Play tab, and then drag an item from the details pane to the list pane.
You can drag individual items (such as one or more songs) or collections of
items (such as one or more albums, artists, genres, years, or ratings) to the list
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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 15

pane. If you drag a collection of items to the list pane, the first item in the list
will begin playing.
If the list pane already contains other items, you can clear the contents by
clicking the Clear list button.
To play a file that isn't in the Player Library
1. Click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Media Player.
If the Player is currently open and you’re in Now Playing mode, click the Switch to
Library button in the upper-right corner of the Player.
2. To play a file that isn't included in the Player Library, do one of the following:
 In the Player Library, click the Play tab, and then drag the file from any location
into the list pane.
 Drag the file into a folder monitored by the Player.
NOTEPAD
Notepad is a basic text-editing program and its most commonly used to view or edit text
files. A text file is a file type typically identified by the .txt file name extension
How to open Notepad
1. Click on the start button from the taskbar
2. Click All program, Click Accessories and click Notepad
How do I change the font style and size?
Changes to the font style and size affect all the text in the document.
1. Click the Format menu, and then click Font.
2. Make your selections in the Font, Font style, and Size boxes.

An example of how your font will look appears under Sample. When you are finished
making font selections, click OK
How do I cut, copy, paste, or delete text?
Do one of the following:
 To cut text so you can move it to another location, select the text, click the Edit menu,
and then click Cut.
 To copy text so you can paste it in another location, select the text, click the Edit menu,
and then click Copy.
 To paste text you have cut or copied, click the location in the file where you want to
paste the text, click the Edit menu, and then click Paste.
 To delete text, select it, click the Edit menu, and then click Delete.
 To undo your last action, click the Edit menu, and then click Undo.

How do I insert the time and date in a document?


1. Click the location in the document where you want to add the time and date.
2. Click the Edit menu, and then click Time/Date.
WORDPAD

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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 16

WordPad is a text-editing program you can use to create and edit documents. Unlike
Notepad, WordPad documents can include rich formatting and graphics, and you can link to
or embed objects, such as pictures or other documents.
How to open WordPad
1. Click Start from the Taskbar
2. Click All program
3. Click Accessories and Click WordPad
Create, open, and save documents
Use the following commands to create, open, or save documents:
To Do this
Create a new document Click the WordPad menu button , and then click
New.
Open a document Click the WordPad menu button, and then click
Open.
Save a document Click the WordPad menu button, and then click Save.
Save a document with a new name Click the WordPad menu button, point to Save as,
or format and then click the format you want to save the
document in.
Work faster in WordPad
There's a quick way to put the commands you use most often in WordPad within easy reach
—put them on the Quick Access Toolbar above the Ribbon. To add a WordPad command to
the Quick Access Toolbar, right-click a button or command, and then click Add to Quick
Access Toolbar.
FORMATING DOCUMENTS
Formatting refers to how the text in your document looks as well as how it's arranged. For
example, you can choose from many different fonts and font sizes, and you can make your
text almost any color you want. You can also easily change how your document is aligned.
Use the following commands to change the formatting of your document:
To Do this
Change how text Select the text that you want to change, and then use the buttons on the
looks in your Home tab in the Font group. For more information about what each
document button does, hover over the button for a description.
Change how text is Select the text that you want to change, and then use the buttons on the
aligned in your Home tab in the Paragraph group. For more information about what
document each button does, hover over the button for a description.
Insert dates and pictures to documents
Use the following commands to insert the current date or a picture:
To Do this
Insert the current date 1. On the Home tab, in the Insert group, click Date and time.

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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 17

To Do this
2. Click the format you want, and then click OK.
3. On the Home tab, in the Insert group, click Picture.
Insert a picture
4. Locate the picture that you want to insert, and then click Open.
5. On the Home tab, in the Insert group, click Paint drawing.
Insert a drawing
6. Create the drawing that you want to insert and then close Paint.

VIEWING DOCUMENTS
Use the following commands to view documents:
To Do this
Increase or decrease the zoom On the View tab, in the Zoom group, click Zoom in or Zoom
level out.
View the document at its
On the View tab, in the Zoom group, click 100%.
actual size
On the View tab, in the Show or hide group, select the Ruler
Display the ruler
check box.
On the View tab, in the Show or hide group, select the Status
Display the status bar
bar check box.
Change the word wrap On the View tab, in the Settings group, click Word wrap, and
settings then click the setting that you want.
Change the unit of On the View tab, in the Settings group, click Measurement
measurement on the ruler units, and then click the units that you want.
Change page margins
1. Click the WordPad menu button, click Page setup, and then select the options you
want
PAINT
Paint is a feature in Windows that you can use to create drawings on a blank drawing area or
in existing pictures. Many of the tools you use in Paint are found in the Ribbon, which is near
the top of the Paint window. The following illustration shows the Ribbon and other parts of
Paint.
How to open Paint window
1. Click Start button from the Taskbar
2. Click All programs
3. Click Accessories and Click Paint
Drawing lines
You can use several different tools to draw in Paint. The tool you use and the options you
select determine how the line appears in your drawing. These are the tools you can use to
draw lines in Paint.
Pencil tool
Use the Pencil tool to draw thin, free-form lines or curves.
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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 18

1. On the Home tab, in the Tools group, click the Pencil tool .
2. In the Colors group, click Color 1, click a color, and then drag the pointer in the
picture to draw.
To draw using the Color 2 (background) color, right-click while you drag the pointer.
Brushes
Use the Brushes tool to draw lines that have a different appearance and texture—it's like
using different artistic brushes. By using different brushes, you can draw free-form and
curving lines that have different effects.
1. On the Home tab, click the down arrow under Brushes.
2. Click the artistic brush that you want to use.
3. Click Size, and then click a line size, which determines the thickness of the brush
stroke.
4. In the Colors group, click Color 1, click a color, and then drag the pointer to paint.
To paint using the Color 2 (background) color, right-click while you drag the pointer.
Line tool
Use the Line tool to draw a straight line. When using this tool, you can choose the thickness
of the line, as well as the appearance of it.
1. On the Home tab, in the Shapes group, click the Line tool.
2. Click Size, and then click a line size, which determines the thickness of the line.
3. In the Colors group, click Color 1, click a color, and then drag the pointer to draw the
line.
To draw a line that uses the Color 2 (background) color, right-click while you drag the
pointer.
4. (Optional) To change the line style, in the Shapes group, click Outline, and then click a
line style.
Tip
 To draw a horizontal line, press and hold the Shift key as you draw from one
side to the other.
 To draw a vertical line, press and hold the Shift key and draw up or down.

Curve tool
Use the Curve tool to draw a smooth, curved line.
1. On the Home tab, in the Shapes group, click the Curve tool
2. Click Size, and then click a line size, which determine the thickness of the line.
3. 3. In the Colors group, click Color 1, click a color, and then drag the pointer to draw the
line.
To draw a line that uses the Color 2 (background) color,
Right-click while you drag the pointer. After you have created the line, Click the area in the
picture where you want the arc of the curve to be, and then drag the pointer to adjust the
curve.
Drawing different shapes
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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 19

You can use Paint to add different shapes in a picture. The ready-made shapes range from
traditional shapes—rectangles, ellipses, triangles, and arrows—to fun and unusual shapes,
such as a heart, lightning bolt, or callouts (to name a few). If you want to make your own
custom shape, you can use to the Polygon tool to do this.

Shapes in Paint
Ready-made shapes
You can use Paint to draw different types of ready-made shapes. Here's a list of them:
Line, Curve, Oval, Rectangle and Rounded rectangle, Triangle and Right triangle, Diamond,
Pentagon, Hexagon, Arrows (Right arrow, Left arrow, Up arrow, Down arrow), Stars (Four-
point star, Five-point star, Six-point star), Callouts (Rounded rectangular callout, Oval
callout, Cloud callout), Heart, Lightning bolt.

1. On the Home tab, in the Shapes group, click a ready-made shape.


2. To draw the shape, drag the pointer.
To draw a shape with equal sides, press and hold the Shift key as you drag the mouse.
For example, to draw a square, click the Rectangle and then press and hold the Shift
key and drag the mouse.
3. With the shape still selected, you can do one or more of the following to change its
appearance:
 To change the line style, in the Shapes group, click Outline, and then click a line
style.
If you don't want your shape to have an outline, click Outline, and then click No
outline.
 To change the outline size, click Size, and then click a line size (thickness).
 In the Colors group, click Color 1, and then click a color for the outline.
 In the Colors group, click Color 2, and then click a color to fill the shape.
 To change the fill style, in the Shapes group, click Fill, and then click a fill
style.
If you don't want your shape to be filled, click Fill, and then click No fill.
ADDING TEXT TO PAINT OBJECT
In Paint, you can also add your own text or message in your picture.
Text tool
Use the Text tool to enter text in the picture.
1. On the Home tab, in the Tools group, click the Text tool .
2. Drag the pointer in the drawing area where you want to add text.
3. Under Text Tools, on the Text tab, click the font face, size, and style in the Font group.
4. In the Colors group, click Color 1, and then click a color for the text.
5. Type the text that you want to add.
6. (Optional) If you want the background of the text area to be filled, in the Background
group, click Opaque. In the Colors group, click Color 2, and then click a background
color for the text area.

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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 20

Selecting and editing objects


In Paint, you might want to make a change to part of a picture or an object. To do this, you
need to select the part of the picture that you want to change, and then make the edit. Some
changes you can make include the following: resizing an object, moving or copying an
object, rotating it, or cropping the picture to only show the selected item.

Select tool
Use the Select tool to select part of the picture that you want to change.
1. On the Home tab, in the Image group, click the down arrow under Select.
2. Do one of the following, depending on what you want to select.
 To select any square or rectangular part of the picture, click Rectangular
selection, and then drag the pointer to select the part of the picture you want to
work with.
 To select any irregularly shaped part of the picture, click Free-form selection,
and then drag the pointer to select the part of the picture you want to work with.
 To select the whole picture, click Select all.
 To select everything in the picture except for the currently selected area, click
Invert selection.
 To delete the selected object, click Delete.

3. Determine if the Color 2 (background) color is included in your selection by doing the
following:
 To include the background color with your selection, clear Transparent
selection. When you paste the selection, the background color is included and
will appear in the pasted item.
 To make the selection transparent so no background color is in the selection,
click Transparent selection. When you paste the selection, any areas using the
current background color will be transparent, which will allow the rest of the
picture to appear in its place.
Crop
Use Crop to crop a picture so only the part you selected appears in your picture. Cropping
lets you change the picture so only the selected object or person is visible.
1. On the Home tab, in the Image group, click the arrow under Select, and then click the
kind of selection you want to make.
2. Drag the pointer to select the part of the picture you want to show.
3. In the Image group, click Crop.
4. To save the cropped picture as a new file, click the Paint button, point to Save as, and
then click the file type for the current picture.
5. In the File name box, type a new file name, and then click Save.
Saving the cropped image as a new picture file prevents overwriting the original
picture file.

Rotate
Use Rotate to rotate the whole picture or a selected part of it.
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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 21

 Depending on what you want to rotate, do one of the following:


 To rotate the whole picture, on the Home tab, in the Image group, click Rotate, and
then click the rotation direction.
 To rotate an object or part of a picture, on the Home tab, in the Image group, click
Select. Drag the pointer to select the area or object, click Rotate, and then click the
rotation direction.
Change the drawing area size
 Do one of the following, depending on how you want to resize the drawing area:
 To resize the drawing area and make it larger, drag one of the small white boxes on the
edge of the drawing area to the desired size.
 To resize the drawing area by entering a specific size, click the Paint button ,
and then click Properties. In the Width and Height boxes, enter the new width and
height, and then click OK.

Skew an object
1. On the Home tab, click Select, and then drag the pointer to select the area or object.
2. Click Resize.
3. In the Resize and Skew dialog box, type the amount to skew the selected area (in
degrees) in the Horizontal and Vertical boxes in the Skew (Degrees) area, and then
click OK.

MOVING AND COPYING OBJECTS


After you select an object, you can cut or copy the selected item. This lets you use one object
many times in your picture if you want, or move an object (when it's selected) to a new part
of your picture.
Cut and paste
Use Cut to cut a selected object and paste it in another part of your picture. When you cut a
selected area, the area that is cut is replaced with the background color. Therefore, if your
picture has a solid background color, you might want to change the Color 2 color to match
the background color before cutting the object.
1. On the Home tab, in the Image group, click Select, and then drag the pointer to select the
area or object you want to cut.
2. In the Clipboard group, click Cut.
3. In the Clipboard group, click Paste.
4. With the object still selected, move it to a new place in your picture where you want it to
appear.

Copying and pasting


Use Copy to copy a selected object in Paint. This is useful if you have lines, shapes, or text
that you want to appear multiple times in your picture.
1. On the Home tab, in the Image group, click Select, and then drag the pointer to select
the area or object you want to copy.
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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 22

2. In the Clipboard group, click Copy.


3. In the Clipboard group, click Paste.
4. With the object still selected, move it to a new place in your picture where you want
the copy to appear.

WORKING WITH COLOR IN PAINT


There are a number of tools to help you work specifically with color in Paint. They let you
use the colors you want when you're drawing and editing in Paint.

Color boxes
The Color boxes indicate the current Color 1 (foreground color) and Color 2 (background
color) colors. How they're used depends on what you're doing in Paint.
When using the color boxes, you can do one or more of the following:
 To change the selected foreground color, on the Home tab, in the Colors group, click
Color 1, and then click a color square.
 To change the selected background color, on the Home tab, in the Colors group, click
Color 2, and then click a color square.
 To paint with the selected foreground color, drag the pointer.
 To paint with the selected background color, right-click while you drag the pointer.

Color picker
Use the Color picker tool to set the current foreground or background color. By
picking a color from the picture, you can make sure that you're using the color you
want when drawing in Paint, so your colors match.
1. On the Home tab, in the Tools group, click Color picker.
3. Click the color in your picture that you want to set as the foreground color, or right-
click the color in your picture that you want to set as the background color.
Fill with color
Use the Fill with color tool to fill the entire picture or an enclosed shape with color.
1. On the Home tab, in the Tools group, click Fill with color.
2. In the Colors group, click Color 1, click a color, and then click inside the area to fill it.
3. To remove the color and replace it with the background color instead, click Color 2, click
a color, and then right-click the area to fill it.

Editing colors
Use Edit colors to pick a new color. Mixing colors in Paint lets you choose the exact color
that you want to use.
1. On the Home tab, in the Colors group, click Edit colors.
2. In the Edit Colors dialog box, click a color in the color palette, and then click OK. The
color will appear in one of the color boxes, so you can use that color in Paint.

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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 23

VIEWING YOUR PICTURE/DRAWING


Changing the view in Paint lets you choose how you want to work with the picture. You can
zoom in on a certain part of the picture or the whole picture if you want.

Magnifier Use the Magnifier tool to zoom in on a part of your picture on the Home tab, in
the Tools group, click the Magnifier, move the magnifier, and then click to zoom in on the
part of the image shown in the square.

Drag the horizontal and vertical scroll bars on the bottom and right side of the window to
move around the picture to reduce the zoom level, right-click the Magnifier again.

Zooming in and out


Use Zoom in and Zoom out to see a larger or smaller view of your image.
1. To increase the zoom level, on the View tab, in the Zoom group, click Zoom in.
2. To reduce the zoom level, on the View tab, in the Zoom group, click Zoom out.
3. To view the picture in the Paint window at its actual size, on the View tab, in the
Zoom group, click 100%.
Rulers
Use the Rulers to view a horizontal ruler at the top of the drawing area and a vertical ruler on
the left side of the drawing area.
1. To show rulers, on the View tab, in the Show or hide group, select the Rulers check box.
2. To hide rulers, clear the Rulers check box.

Gridlines
Use the Gridlines to align shapes and lines when you're drawing in Paint.
1. To show gridlines, on the View tab, in the Show or hide group, select the Gridlines
check box.
2. To hide gridlines, clear the Gridlines check box.

Full screen
Use Full screen to view your picture full screen.
1. To view the picture on the entire screen, on the View tab, in the Display group, click
Full screen.
2. To exit full screen and go back to the Paint window, click the picture.

Saving a picture or drawing the first time


When you save a new picture for the first time, you'll need to give it a file name. When
editing in Paint, you should save your work frequently so you don't accidentally lose it.
1. Click the Paint button, and then click Save.
2. In the Save as type box, select the file format you want.
3. In the File name box, type a name, and then click Save.

To open a picture
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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows 24

1. Click the Paint button, and then click Open.


2. Find the picture you want to open in Paint, click it, and then click Open.

Congratulations for successful completion…..!


Now Let’s Get Ready for Final Group/Individual Projects

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CSED 102 Introduction to Windows Table of Content

TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHAT IS WIDOW IN COMPUTING?..........................................................................................................................1
THE DESKTOP (OVERVIEW)......................................................................................................................................1
MOUSE...........................................................................................................................................................................1
MOUSE ACTIONS.........................................................................................................................................................2
CUSTOMIZING YOUR MOUSE...................................................................................................................................3
CHANGE YOUR DESKTOP BACKGROUND (WALLPAPER)..................................................................................3
CHANGING THE SCREEN SAVER.............................................................................................................................5
THEME...........................................................................................................................................................................5
DESKTOP GADGETS (OVERVIEW)...........................................................................................................................6
CREATING A NEW FOLDER.......................................................................................................................................7
WORKING WITH DESKTOP ICONS...........................................................................................................................7
MOVING ICONS AROUND......................................................................................................................................8
THE TASKBAR (OVERVIEW).....................................................................................................................................8
THE START MENU (OVERVIEW).............................................................................................................................10
WORKING WITH WINDOWS....................................................................................................................................12
MOVING A WINDOW.............................................................................................................................................12
ARRANGING WINDOWS AUTOMATICALLY.....................................................................................................13
WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER.....................................................................................................................................14
NOTEPAD....................................................................................................................................................................15
WORDPAD...................................................................................................................................................................15
Create, open, and save documents.............................................................................................................................15
Work faster in WordPad.............................................................................................................................................16
FORMATING DOCUMENTS......................................................................................................................................16
PAINT...........................................................................................................................................................................17
ADDING TEXT TO PAINT OBJECT..........................................................................................................................19
WORKING WITH COLOR IN PAINT.........................................................................................................................21
VIEWING YOUR PICTURE/DRAWING....................................................................................................................22

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LICOSESS COLLEGE
GSA Road, OF EDUCATION
Paynesville City, Montserrado County
Republic of Liberia

Computer Science in Education (CSEd.)

COURSE TITILE:
Introduction to Windows

COURSE CODE:
CSED102

Prepared & Complied By: Jerry K. Gbaye, Jr. ASc., AA, BSc. Cand.
0770210310/088887998
[email protected]

©
Copyright All Rights Reserved Property of LICE

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